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adiPower Predator Review:
The Good: adidas has created a concept/hybrid power boot used for the modern game. The boot is redesigned from top to bottom and weighs an astonishing 7.8 oz.
The Bad: Stiff forefoot due to the power spine technology in the outsole. In addition, the heel cup is narrow which causes a pressure point on the interior of the heel.
The Bottom Line: adidas has done a tremendous job with this boot. The style, technology, and value all speak for themselves when you see the boot in person. It is a mixture of Power and Speed with a realistic price point of $200 for a concept boot that anyone on the pitch can wear.
Background:
In recent weeks, we have seen many of the world’s top footballers showcase the boot. Recently, the latest Predator (11th generation) was released and the boot has been redesigned from top to bottom. With this boot, adidas had drastically decreased the weight and created a whole new Predator element to increase the force/trajectory of a player’s strike. With the lack of innovation from the Predator X adidas needed to create a very unique boot in order to once again capture consumer’s interests/hearts. Furthermore, with this boot adidas did just that. Weighing in at an astonishing 7.8 oz adidas created a hybrid/concept power boot by using the beloved F50 Sprintframe outsole while combining the Predator element which has many consumers intrigued. The boot is a mixture of speed and power which applies to today’s football game.
Comfort/Fit: (7/10)
With the upper on the new adiPower Predator adidas decided to stick with the Taurus upper which is a good call by the three stripe company because unlike K-Leather, Taurus leather is more durable especially on turf fields which aids in the longevity/life of the boot. Now days, consumers want their boots to last the whole season and with the rising prices of football boots consumers now see their purchase as an investment rather than an impulse buy because of the big price tag.
Furthermore, another attribute you will notice that is similar to the Predator X is the off center lacing system used on the new adiPower Predator. With this lacing system that I like to call as the “athletic fit” is one of the most positive/revolutionary ideas that football boots has ever seen. By using the off center lacing it allows the boot to mirror the natural image/shape of your foot, which feels like a sock when you put it on. In addition, with the off center lacing it takes pressure off of the top of your foot and provides a larger striking surface which increases your ability to put the ball where you want. Furthermore, by going with the off center lacing this boot is made for consumers who either have a medium to wider sized foot. However, when fitting and throughout testing I experienced pain on the interior of the heel cup almost similar to the pain of wearing a boot that is too narrow in the heel.
Performance: (9/10)
The soleplate used in these new boots is the sprint frame, which unlike past predators it has the benefit of being light weight and takes a little time to break in. so plan on wearing these boots in several training sessions before you debut them in a match. In addition, you may have noticed “the predator element “on this historical remade/engineered boot. The principal of this boot has not changed. This boot is without a doubt a power boot. After testing these boots, I was wrong when I said adidas was killing the predator with the debut of this boot. It is obvious that this boot is made for the modern game and is still a power boot. There are raised silicon/rubber ridges in the adipower element that act like a rebounding spring when the ball struck giving you just a little bit more power and swerve/swag on your shot.
Value: (9/10)
In the end, I am amazed to what adidas has done with this predator. The mix of lightweight and power is a lethal combination. I believe in soccer specialty stores that this product will be a point of difference. For a while now, the power category has been stagnant but with this release adidas have brought something fresh/new to the table. I have seen in the professional ranks defenders, midfielders, and forwards wear this boot which says a lot about the innovation/time put into the production of this boot. Another difference to point out is the price point which is at a comfortable $200. Unlike the underachieving predator X which was somehow at $220, adidas has learned from that mistake and kept the price at $200.
Footy Guru Rating:
Comfort/fit: 7/10
Performance: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Overall Score: 8.3
(Excellent) This boot gets a 4 star rating from Footy Guru
(Boots supplied for review by adidas)